Study Links Asbestos Exposure to Heart Disease

The link between asbestos and lung disease, particularly deadly mesothelioma, has been well established for decades. A recent study published in the international peer-reviewed British journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine has found a link between asbestos exposure and cardiovascular disease too.

The study looked at mortality rates and causes for British asbestos workers during the period 1971 to 2005, drawing information from 98,912 workers in total. In particular, researchers analyzed the numbers gleaned on cardiovascular deaths with a median follow up of 19 years.

The results were adjusted for smoking and other factors. After analyzing the data, researchers concluded that cerebrovascular and ischaemic heart disease (strokes and heart attacks in layman’s terms) were significantly higher among the asbestos workers as compared to the general public.

Cause and effect?
Asbestos causes inflammation – that’s where its harmful effects on the human body begin – and it is thought that inflammatory processes contribute to cardiovascular disease as well. The study did not establish asbestos as a clear risk factor, (i.e. as a clear cause and effect,) but the numbers are significant and provide a starting point for further investigation.

Asbestos in Your Home
If your home was built before 1970, there’s a good chance it contains asbestos in some form too, and it may show up in a wide variety of places including insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, roofing, pipe insulation and more. The material is considered safe as long as it’s intact, but damage or deterioration can produce friable asbestos, or particles that can be inhaled – with a deadly potential.

Asbestos “Accident”
Even if it’s currently intact, however, there’s no telling what can happen. Earlier this month, children just stateside were discovered unwittingly playing with asbestos thinking it was sidewalk chalk. The asbestos was wrapped around pipes as insulation in an empty Niagara Falls, NY school. Authorities assume that the pipes were stolen, with the thieves dumping the insulation just outside the building, which is where the children found it.

Get peace of mind from GreenStream Environmental, where we can offer a home inspection and asbestos removal or abatement services as required. Don’t fool around with something so dangerous – call GreenStream today.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414. You’ll be glad you did.